Blizzard in Buffalo? Brutal weather pushes playoff football game to Monday
Snow so heavy that it could bury the field. Temperatures so low that beer will freeze. These are just some of the conditions that prompted the Bills and Steelers game to be rescheduled.
The Buffalo Bills are bracing for heavy snow during their playoff game this weekend. Andy Major talks snow removal and, most important, fan, team and staff safety on gameday.
Extreme weather crashed multiple tailgating parties and football games as the playoffs get underway, including some of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the weekend.
"This is some of the worst weather we've ever seen on the opening weekend of playoffs," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
Coldest game in Miami, Kansas City history occurred on Saturday
Arctic air ushered in bone-chilling conditions across the Plains ahead of Saturday night's game as Kansas City hosted Miami, and it became historically cold. Saturday night's game set a new record for the coldest football game in Miami and Kansas City history, breaking Miami's old record of 10 degrees by over 10 degrees and the Kansas City record by just under 4 degrees.
By kickoff, the temperature was a frigid -4 degrees. The old record for the coldest football game in Miami history was 10 degrees, set back in 2008, with the coldest game in Kansas City history set at 0.5 degrees, back in 1983, according to CBS.
It was so cold that fans who purchased beverages, including beer, had their drinks freeze solid due to the extreme temperatures.
Two Kansas City Chiefs fans sit in the stands before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Superman Christopher Stone told AccuWeather how he has dealt with frigid games in the past and has a recommendation for folks braving the elements to cheer on their team.
“Bring a piece of cardboard or carpet to stand on," Stone said. "Because when you’re standing on that concrete, your feet will get so cold."
The coldest game in NFL history, aptly named the "Ice Bowl" was played in Green Bay on Dec. 31, 1967, an infamous matchup when the temperature was 13 degrees below zero.
Blizzard in Buffalo?
Due to the lake-effect snow expected this weekend, the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers game originally slated for Sunday has been pushed to Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Weather conditions on Sunday rapidly worsened as bitterly cold air clashed with intense snowfall. Conditions in and near Orchard Park are likely to remain snowy into Monday afternoon; however the lake-effect bands are not expected to be as intense as during this past weekend.
Pittsburgh fans are known for traveling far to cheer on their team during away games, and folks making the journey from Pennsylvania to New York could face travel-snarling snow if driving to the game a day early on Sunday or Sunday night.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (24) runs onto the field before an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
"Plan ahead if traveling to the stadium on Monday, as there could be very slow-moving traffic due to the snow on the ground from Sunday," Youman said. "Always have an emergency kit with you in case roads close and you’re stuck in your car."
Motorists are urged to check for any road restrictions still in place before departing for their journey.
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